Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 51

Paragraph
Paragraph text
In the case of non-international armed conflicts, there is no distinction between war correspondents and other journalists under international humanitarian law, and the protection for all journalists emanates from common article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II). This includes, for example, protection from violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being, including torture, hostage-taking, humiliating and degrading treatment, as well as threats to commit such acts. They are also entitled to fair trial guarantees (articles 4, 5, 6 of Additional Protocol II). The Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize that violations of most of these provisions are punishable as war crimes.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Governance & Rule of Law
  • Humanitarian
Year
2010
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
SR Freedom of Opinion, Report to the UNGA (2010), A/65/284, para. 51.
Paragraph number
51